SINGAPORE - JULY 23: Fans cheer as Chelsea FC team bus departs Jet Quay Private Terminal ahead of the International Champions Cup on July 23, 2017 in Singapore. (Photo by Suhaimi Abdullah/Getty Images for ICC)
The 2017 International Champions Cup Singapore: what to expect from one of the biggest pre-season football tournaments.
By Hiasa Kyte
Featured photo: Suhaimi Abdullah/Getty Images for ICC
SINGAPORE – JULY 24: FC Bayern Munich team manager Carlo Ancelotti and James Rodriguez #11 of FC Bayern Munich look during an International Champions Cup FC Bayern training session at Geylang Field on July 24, 2017 in Singapore. (Photo by Thananuwat Srirasant/Getty Images for ICC)
What is the ICC?
First held in 2013, the ICC is a series of pre-season tournaments played in Australia, China, Europe, the United States and, now, Singapore.
The list of regular participants includes global giants Arsenal, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Internazionale (or Inter), Juventus, Manchester United and Real Madrid, just to name a few.
With one mouth-watering clash after another, it’s no surprise that the ICC regularly sets attendance records. Instead of typical one-off friendlies, the ICC pits teams against each other in a mini-league format with a trophy up for grabs.
Who’s playing?
Taking place at the National Stadium, the inaugural ICC Singapore will be contested by Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Inter. Chelsea and Bayern are reigning champions in their domestic leagues and all three clubs have won the UEFA Champions League. The matchdays are:
July 25 Chelsea vs Bayern Munich
July 27 Bayern Munich vs Inter
July 29 Chelsea vs Inter
SINGAPORE – JULY 22: Alvaro Morata of Chelsea FC (C) signs autograph for fans after he arrives at Changi International Airport ahead of the International Champions Cup on July 22, 2017 in Singapore. (Photo by Suhaimi Abdullah/Getty Images for ICC)
Which players are in town?
As is the case with pre-season matches in far-flung locales, not every big-name player will be involved. Fans of players like Eden Hazard and Manuel Neuer might be disappointed, but the ICC Singapore will still have near full-strength squads – and some new signings will be making their debuts. The clubs’ touring squads include*:
Chelsea: Thibaut Courtois, Willy Caballero, Eduardo, Marcin Bulka, Cesar Azpilicueta, Gary Cahill, David Luiz, Andreas Christensen, Tomas Kalas, Jake Clarke-Salter, Fikayo Tomori, Marcos Alonso, Victor Moses, Cesc Fabregas, N’Golo Kante, Mario Pasalic, Lewis Baker, Kyle Scott, Pedro, Willian, Kenedy, Charly Musonda Jr, Jeremie Boga, Michy Batshuayi, Loic Remy, Antonio Rudiger, Alvaro Morata
Bayern Munich: David Alaba, Juan Bernat, Kingsley Coman, Marco Friedl, Christian Fruchtl, Mats Hummels, Robert Lewandowski, Javi Martinez, Thomas Muller, Rafinha, Franck Ribery, Renato Sanches, Tom Starke, Thiago Alcantara, Corentin Tolisso, James Rodriguez, Sven Ulreich, Felix Gotze, Milos Pantovic, Niklas Dorsch, Ron Thorben Hoffmann, Manuel Wintzheimer
Inter: Tommaso Berni, Samir Handanovic, Daniele Padelli, Marco Pissardo, Cristian Ansaldi, Danilo D’Ambrosio, Joao Miranda, Jeison Murillo, Yuto Nagatomo, Andrea Ranocchia, Milan Skriniar, Zinho Vanheusden, Federico Valietti, Iglesias Borja Valero, Marcelo Brozovic, Xian Emmers, Roberto Gagliardini, Geoffrey Kondogbia, Rigoberto Rivas, Gabriel Barbosa, Jonathan Biabiany, Antonio Candreva, Citadin Martins Eder, Mauro Icardi, Stevan Jovetic, Ivan Perisic, Andrea Pinamonti, Joao Mario
SINGAPORE – JULY 23: Thomas Muller of FC Bayern Munich arrives at Jet Quay Private Terminal ahead of the International Champions Cup on July 23, 2017 in Singapore. (Photo by Suhaimi Abdullah/Getty Images for ICC)
Are tickets still available?
Most definitely. Head to Sports Hub Tix and take your pick. Prices for standard single match tickets range from S$82 to S$188 for Chelsea vs Bayern (cheaper tickets are sold out), S$40 to S$168 for Bayern vs Inter and S$40 to S$188 for Chelsea vs Inter.
If you’re a superfan who feels like splurging, three-day passes are available from $360 and two-day passes from $238 (Cat 1 and 2 seats only).
What else is going on around town for the ICC?
It wouldn’t be a sporting event in Singapore without some fringe activities. As part of the ICC Singapore festivities, CHIJMES, Clarke Quay, and South Beach will be hosting special football-themed events and screenings under the banner of Football in the City. ICC ticket holders will also enjoy plenty of exclusive drink and dining deals at these precincts.
*Please note that visiting squads are subject to change.
Hiasa Kyte is a contributor to Straatosphere. From absinthe to zinfandel, Hiasa drinks it all. While he knows his way around grand old whiskies and Bordeaux First Growths, he gets his real kicks trying unheralded booze found on the dusty lower shelves of the alcohol world.
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